Hello Men of Color (MOC)! Welcome to MANuevering VCU, the official newsletter of Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) tailored specifically for Men of Color at VCU!
MMC is an office led group created to support ALL VCU students identifying as Men of Color (MOC). This includes Indigenous, Black/African American, Asian/Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino, and Multiracial MOC. This also includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional MOC. MMC works to offer large scale programming, small group programming, 1 on 1 support, and community engagement opportunities. Click here to learn more about MMC.
Please read the entirety of this email to get plugged into events and resources for MOC. Additionally, please email me (leckyjj@vcu.edu) if there is anything you would like included in future editions of MANuevering VCU.
- Jair Lecky, Program Manager for Men of Color Initiatives
Upcoming Events
LGBTQIA+ History Month
October 1st to October 31st is LGBTQIA+ Month! In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months.
Browse this linktree page to explore the diverse lineup of events being hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, additional campus offices, student organizations, and the greater Richmond Community.
Book Reading Group
Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) will be starting a book reading group for Men of Color (MOC). The book that we will be reading together is The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks. This is an awesome opportunity for MOC to read a great book, dig deep into any messages that resonate with them, and connect with other MOC. The book reading group will meet weekly starting the week of 9/19. Two weekly sections will be offered: Monday's from 2pm-3pm and then Thursday's from 1pm-2pm (this is a new time change). Please register to the weekly section you can commit to, then a follow up message will be sent out regarding how to pick up your book. Make sure to register on Ramsconnect.
Crucial Conversations: Real Talk About Dating, Sex, and Relationships
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. UCS Advocacy Services and Men's Multicultural Collective presents Crucial Conversations: Dating, Sex, and Relationships for Men of Color (MOC). The workshop series will be a safe space for Men of Color to engage in "real talk."
The workshops will be every Tuesday in October from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Register for the third session here on Ramsconnect.
Debunking Myths of Monkeypox
What is monkeypox? How is it transmissed? Who is at risk? Join experts for a panel discussion next week Tuesday in MCALC 1107 from 6pm-7:15pm debunking popular misconceptions surrounding monkeypox. Pizza will be provided! Make sure to register on Ramsconnect.
NBA Tip-Off Watch Party
Men’s Multicultural Collective is hosting an NBA Tip-Off Watch Party next Tuesday (10/18) at 7 PM in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Join us as we celebrate the first game of the NBA regular season between the 76ers and the Celtics. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other Men of Color, enjoy food, and cheer on your favorite team - we look forward to seeing you there! Make sure to register on Ramsconnect.
Wellness Corner
University Counseling Services (UCS) Support Groups
UCS offers support groups! Support groups are different from therapy groups in that their PRIMARY aim is to help you gain peer support and to build community with other students, particularly those who may share an identity you hold. Unlike our therapy groups, support group members are encouraged to build connections outside of the group. You do NOT have to complete an intake appointment or be an enrolled client at UCS to participate in these support groups.
Many of these groups are identity based. Select the group you'd like to join and complete the interest form. The group leader will contact you with guidance for the next steps to get started
Looking for additional support on campus? Let's Chat! provides ongoing opportunities for one-on-one support from a graduate assistant in the OMSA Office. Students can expect to receive guidance and mentorship on a variety of topics, such as self-care, current events, graduate school planning, study skills, and more! Appointments are required - interested students can register here.
Volunteer Opportunity
Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) will be traveling to the Peter Paul Foundation Center every Tuesday from 4pm-5pm to volunteer. Peter Paul is a network of Promise Centers in the East End of Richmond. Each Promise Center offers a full array of services to fulfill Peter Paul’s purpose statement to Educate the Child, Engage the Family, and Empower the Community. Programs include a unique combination of out-of-school time programming for students, plus intentional family and community enrichment and engagement.
This volunteer opportunity requires 5 (2 spots remaining) CONSISTENT Men of Color that can be available every Tuesday this semester (excluding holiday breaks) from 4pm-5pm. A ride will be provided every week to and from the location (Peter Paul is located about 10 minutes away). Volunteering will consistent of working with young children from the ages of 7-10 as either:
Reading Buddy: Volunteers will meet 1 on 1 with a student and engage in reading, literacy activities, and games. Homework time may be included if appropriate.
Math Buddy: Volunteers will work 1 on 1 with a student, practice grade-appropriate math skills, and engage in remedial activities and games. Homework time may be included if appropriate.
This volunteer opportunity will begin the second week of October, if interested, email Jair Lecky (leckyjj@vcu.edu) ASAP for more details!
Leadership Opportunity
The 3rd Annual Leaders Unleashed Conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 am to 2pm.
Hosted by The Commons and the Office of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning, Leaders Unleashed is a gateway conference experience to help students discover inspiration through leading, and strengthen their development as leaders at VCU and beyond. This is a free event that is open to all students, regardless of leadership experience.
Call for Student Presenters
Have an idea of how to ignite student leadership at VCU? Are you passionate about empowering your peers to take courageous action? We invite you to submit a conference session proposal for Leaders Unleashed. More information and the proposal form can be found here.
Conference and Mail Services Coordinator: The Conference and Mail Services Coordinator operates with the goal of ensuring that conference and mail operations are well-supported and proceed flawlessly day to day. The Conference and Mail Services Coordinator serves as a liaison for the overnight housing guests during the summer and residential mail during the academic year. Primary responsibilities include supporting Conference and Mail Services with reservations and services for lodging, housekeeping, parking, dining, meeting space, campus safety, residential mail, technology, etc. Click here to apply.
Lab & Research Technician 1: The Lab and Research Technician will work to Perform routine tasks in a research environment. Assist in performing assigned laboratory tasks without constant supervision. Working knowledge of cell culture, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, and quantitative biochemistry. Click here to apply.
Lifeguard: VCU Recreation and Well-being is looking to hire lifeguards. Applicants are required to have Current Certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers. Primary duties and responsibilities including Understand and enforce all pool and facility policies and procedures observing the conduct of patrons and communicate openly with patrons/staff in a friendly manner. Click here to apply.
Student Spotlight: Josh Galarza
Josh is a first year Masters student from Reno, Nevada, getting his Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When asked why he came to VCU he said: It chose me, actually. Fully-funded writing programs are incredibly competitive, many with only three spots per year for fiction writers. Of the ten schools I applied to, VCU was simply the one that said yes, and I'm so glad it did! In academia, you have to go where the jobs are, where the spots open up for you, but I absolutely feel like I lucked out. The teaching assistantship program is very strong here, a lot of effort put into preparing us to teach our own classes rather than simply throwing us in the deep end without any experience assisting first, plus an emphasis on making sure our workload is fair so that we actually have time for our own writing. If you can believe it, this is not always the case in fully-funded writing programs. I also love that Richmond is an arts city. There's a lot about this particular place to love (just not the humidity, which, to this Nevadan, feels like a living creature crawling on my skin).
Josh has been enjoying his time taking part in activities offered by Men's Multicultural Collective: For the first time in my life, I'm involved in an organization where I no longer have to ask if I'm of-color enough. I'm just of-color. It means a lot to no longer feel like I'm in some limbo between my ethnicities, never fully welcome in either group.
In his spare time, catch Josh working on letterpress, printmaking, and book arts.
Campus Resource Highlight: University Counseling Services
University Counseling Services (UCS) aims to provide comprehensive evaluation and consultation for students on best options for their mental health care. This information can include any of the following: case management, referral services to a community provider, brief individual and couples therapy, group therapy, consultation, and resiliency workshops. UCS is located on the second floor of the University Student Commons in Suite 238 (right above the Chick-fil-a).
Stay/Get Connected
Hello Men of Color! I would love to hear more about your experience at VCU, any programming ideas you have, and how I can support you better. If you would like to connect, send me an email (leckyjj@vcu.edu) to set up a meeting. Also, I provide the option for in-person or virtual drop in hours weekly Monday's from 2pm-3pm & Wednesday's from 5pm-6pm. My office is location in the University Commons in suite 215 (right above the subway on the 2nd floor).
The future is bright.
- Jair Lecky, Program Manager for Men of Color Initiatives
The 3rd Annual Leaders Unleashed Conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 am to 2pm. 
